Published November 3 2017
With temperatures dropping, staying warm can be challenging for some families. Nineteen percent of Bellevue school children qualify for free and reduced lunches due to low household income. The public can help by donating coats for these families.
Starting this month, Bellevue Youth Link is seeking donations of coats through its 13th annual Kids Care Coat Drive.
Donations can be dropped off at the following locations through Jan. 31:
- City Hall, 450 110th Ave. NE
- Mini City Hall at Crossroads Mall, 15600 NE Eighth St., #H9
- Community centers in Bellevue:
- Crossroads Community Center, 16000 NE 10th St.
- Highland Community Center, 14224 Bel-Red Rd.
- South Bellevue Community Center, 14509 SE Newport Way
- North Bellevue Community Center, 4063 148th Ave. NE
Coats will be distributed to Bellevue families experiencing challenges on Nov. 21, 5-7 p.m. at Crossroads Community Center while supplies last.
Last year, Youth Link collected and distributed over 3,500 coats to Bellevue families through the Kids Care Coat Drive.
Volunteers are also needed to help sort and distribute the donations. For information about other donation locations or volunteering, contact Patrick Alina, Youth Link program coordinator (palina@bellevuewa.gov or 425-452-5254).
The coat drive is supported by local businesses including Bel-Red Self Storage, which provides storage for the drive, and the Bellevue Home Depot, which will supply donation boxes.
Bellevue Youth Link, a partnership of the City of Bellevue and Bellevue Public Schools, provides teens with opportunities to make a positive difference in our community.